Gardner-Webb University women’s head basketball coach Rick Reeves made sure his squad broke things down to the essentials Saturday afternoon in the second half of Big South Conference play against Charleston Southern. GWU rebounded, passed the ball for good shots, then played hard on defense.

The result was a 74-62 Lady Runnin’ Bulldog triumph at Paul Porter Arena that landed them in fifth place in the league standings that brought a first-round bye in next week’s league tournament. Gardner-Webb (16-113, 11-9) will play Campbell Thursday at Coastal Carolina’s court in a quarterfinal contest to begin the tournament.

GWU’s 1-2 punch of Catrina Green (24 points) and Jessica Heilig (23) inside was too much for the Lady Buccaneers (8-21, 4-16 league). The pair scored the first 11 points of the second half for the ‘Dogs as they went from a 31-28 halftime lead to a double-digit advantage.

“We thought we had an advantage there (in the lane),” Reeves said. “When we are patient and make three or more passes, something positive happens for us. But sometimes we get in a rush and we take quick shots.”

The second-half flurry led to GWU building as much an 18-point lead before Charleston Southern had an 8-0 run to get the lead down to 10 with 2:52 remaining. But GWU hit enough foul shots to seal the deal.

One key to victory was clamping down on CSU’s three-point shooters. The Lady Bucs hit six from long range in the second half but went 0-10 from that distance in the final 20 minutes.

“They took 32 (treys) the first time we played them and they took 28 this time,” Reeves said. “We didn’t let them good those in the second half, our defense did a better job.”

GWU also commanded the boards with a 49-37 edge. Green pulled down 14 with Jasmine Dale and Heilig grabbing eight apiece.

“The three keys for us are offense – which includes not making turnovers – defense, and rebounding,” said Reeves. “I think we have a good team.

“If we play as well (at the tournament) as we did here against Coastal and UNC-Asheville, we’ve got as good a chance as anyone. I feel good about it. Getting the bye helped because it’s about having fresh legs at the tournament.”

Inside the Game

Going out in style -- It was Senior Night for the GWU women against Charleston Southern and the trio of Jasmine Dale, Tabby Koerner and Catrina Green were honored before tipoff. All three got in the scoring column in the first five minutes of the contest.

Page 2 of 2 - GWU finished the year 13-2 on their homecourt with the win.

In the books – Green etched her name atop the rebounding column at GWU with her 14 on the day pushing her all-time total to 1,004. She’s the first Lady Runnin’ Bulldog player to ever top 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in a career.